Just a reminder that we will be at the London Spring Home and Garden show this coming weekend (April 8-10, 2011). We hope to see you there. Also, if you haven’t checked out our new Facebook page, go take a look. While you are at it, vote on one of the trees in our Needy Tree contest or better yet, enter your own needy tree!

What is a Needy Tree?

So what exactly is a needy tree? You have all seen them and we certainly have some featured in this contest. A needy tree is one that could use some help. So often we plant trees, water them in, then forget about them. Trees need love and attention too though. They need proper pruning to remove dead or diseased limbs, to esthetically shape them, to thin crowns to promote growth and proper air flow, to shorten their height, or just to simply remove branches that are in the way.

Before you attack a tree yourself though, make sure you know where and how to cut. Removing large branches or cutting in inappropriate locations puts stress on a tree. If you aren’t sure where or how to prune your tree, seek professional advice. Or get CLC to do the job for you. That’s what we are here for. We know the how, what and where to cut. That’s our job.

Aside from pruning a tree, other issues can make for a needy tree. Some trees can have heavy limbs, split crotches, or general damage from storms. When this is the case, cabling or bracing can help to reduce stress and strain on the tree as a whole. This adds safety to surrounding areas, as well as potentially prolonging the life of the tree. At CLC Tree Services, we love trees, so do our best to care for and protect them for as long as possible.

Like all other living creatures, trees also need nourishment. Sometimes a needy tree just needs to be fertilized. Fertilization adds nutrients to trees, which helps them to fight off pests and disease. Younger trees benefit from an annual fertilization while they are developing their root systems, but older trees (15+) still need some attention and benefit from fertilizing every two years. The best time to fertilize your tree is mid-Spring or early Fall. You also need to apply fertilizer in the right location, as the roots need them most. Did we mention that if you win the Needy Tree contest, you will also get a fertilization treatment for your tree? Just saying.

Just Enter Already!

The other perk that we are offering in our contest is the installation of a low-voltage landscape lighting system. Once your tree isn’t so needy anymore, you will want to highlight it as a beautiful feature in your yard. We will add mulch around your tree to help retain moisture during hot summer days, before installing the lighting system. Your tree will thank you for that. Don’t forget to water your trees during those long dry spells though, as your tree needs water too. If you take care of your tree’s needs, it will provide you with shade and aesthetic appeal for years to come. So before your tree gets too needy, take the time to offer it the CLC it deserves.